Mary Wright Sewell facts for kids

Mary Wright Sewell (born 6 April 1797 – died 10 June 1884) was an English poet and author. She wrote many popular books for young people during her time. Today, she is best known as the mother of Anna Sewell. Anna Sewell wrote the famous book Black Beauty.

Who Was Mary Wright Sewell?

Early Life and Family

Mary Sewell was born on April 6, 1797, in Sutton, Suffolk, England. Her parents, John Wright and Ann Holmes, were farmers. Mary was one of their seven children. Her family followed the Quaker way of life. Quakers believe in peace and simplicity.

Mary first learned at home from private teachers called governesses. Around 1811, she went to a boarding school in Tottenham. Her father had sold his farm to invest in a ship, but this business did not do well. By the time Mary was 20, she had to become a governess herself to earn money. She taught at a school in Essex.

On June 15, 1819, Mary married Isaac Sewell in Lamas, Norfolk. Isaac's parents were important Quaker leaders. Mary and Isaac settled in Yarmouth. Their daughter, Anna, was born the next year. Their son, Philip, was born in 1822. Isaac had some business troubles and lost money after Philip was born.

Becoming a Writer

Isaac Sewell later became a traveling salesman. Mary taught her children at home. She wrote her first book, Walks with Mamma, to help pay for books for her children's education. This book used only one-syllable words, making it easy to read.

From 1858 to 1864, the family lived at the Blue Lodge in Wick. Mary loved poetry very much. While living near Bristol, she wrote Mother's Last Words. This book sold over a million copies around the world! It tells a story about two boys who learn important lessons from their mother's final advice.

Helping with Black Beauty

In the 1870s, Mary Sewell cared for her daughter, Anna. Anna was very ill with a serious sickness. During this time, Mary helped Anna write her only novel, Black Beauty. Anna was too sick to write herself, so she told the story to her mother. Mary then wrote down everything Anna said.

In 1878, both Anna and Isaac Sewell passed away. Mary Sewell herself died on June 10, 1884, at the age of 87.

Mary Sewell's Books

Mary Sewell wrote many books and poems, often for children or about moral lessons. Here are some of her works:

• The children of Summerbrook: scenes of village life, described in simple verse, 1850
• Our Father's care: a ballad, 1857
• Homely ballads for the working man's fireside, 1858
• "Thy poor brother": letters to a friend on helping the poor, 1860
• Mother's last words: a ballad, 1865
• Ballads for children: including "Mother's last words", and "Our father's care", 1867
• An appeal to Englishwomen, 1870